airnow.gov the future of maps

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Maps and airnow.govEPA needs your input for
future considerations...

• John E. White
• EPA AIRNow
• 2007 National Air Quality Conference
• white.johne_at_epa.gov

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Good Morning!?! ?
Up for Discussion

• AIRNow web site
• what we have, dont have
• what to get rid of?
• Upcoming changes to consider
• New mapping software?
• AQI maps?
• Issues surrounding both of these new developments
• How do we deal with all of these products?
• Public versus AIRNow partners
• We need your input

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AIRNow web site currently

• TONS of information and maps currently available
  to public
• National ozone and PM2.5 maps
• National forecast maps
• State/local forecasts, Northeast map, NOAA model
  guidance
• National Outlook map
• Lots and lots of air quality maps
• Is there something EPA be showing? Anything
  missing?
• Is it too much for the public?
• OK now help me consider this

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Upcoming Initiatives

• Possible new mapping software
• Changes include look and possible format of the
  products
• Impacts both public and AIRNow Partners
• True AQI Maps
• PM2.5 contour maps?
• airnowtech.org or airnow.gov?
• Should we show both bubble and contour maps?
• Only include AQI maps on airnow.gov for the
  public?

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New Mapping Technology

• Two Potential Options for AIRNow
• AIRNowMapper
• New software and GIS based
• Shareable data sets (Google Earth)
• More real-time/on demand, time frame determined
  by user
• Episode analysis could use AQS data in lieu of
  AIRNow data
• Resources needed
• Create a mapping system similar to National
  Weather Service Air Quality Forecast Guidance
  Display
• www.weather.gov/aq
• Would improve the look
• No gif files or archives
• Low cost, implementation questions remain
• Limited State/local/tribal support in terms of
  stand-alone products?
• Either way - the look will be different - but
  improved
• Could lose current format gif files
• Maps could be driven by user
• Map archives may be affected

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A Note About AQI Maps

• Before AQI Maps are produced
• Revisit surrogates
• Update ozone with recent data sets
• Evaluate current PM2.5 surrogate
• Investigate PM10 surrogate for applicable map
  domains
• Evaluate and Implement Conroy AQI map method
• Grid based mapping
• Produce gridded AQI map for each pollutant for
  each domain hourly
• Take the highest AQI value with matching grids
• Also look at radius of influence and other data
  sets
• Test and provide documentation to AIRNow
  community before going public
• Maps on airnowtech.org or
• Password-protected area on airnow.gov

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So Before We Add Lots of New Maps - Should We

• Maintain current web site structure?
• Include PM2.5 contour maps?
• Keep bubble maps for ozone and PM2.5?
• Continue the local emphasis?
• Add more current AQI
• Zip codes
• More information on local level
• Streamline just main page/state pages with AQI
• OR go to National and 10 Regional AQI Maps
  only?
• Generate city/local maps for ozone and PM2.5 for
  State/local web sites off-line
• Pollutant maps on airnowtech.org only?
• bubble and/or contoured maps

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Other Considerations

• Current map archives how important are they?
• to the public?
• to AIRNow partners?
• Limit archives to 1 year?
• Map software change
• Other Ideas?
• With meteorological information available blend
  with actual data to give the public a better idea
  of when poor air quality will pass?
• Do we want to include large wildfire locations on
  the national forecast map?
• Need to address higher altitude locations

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EnviroFlash Update

• Zip Code Functionality/Real-Time Data
• EnviroFlash Admin upgrades
• EnviroFlash Outreach Materials Available
• EnviroFlash Press Kit
• EnviroFlash Business Cards
• EnviroFlash Radio Spot PSAs
• EnviroFlash/AQI Posters